Health Report

Many people turning to AI for health advice are doing it for valid reasons — it's cheap, fast and isn't bound by a 15-minute timer.  But the checks and balances companies use to ensure their products are safe, or even accurate, aren't open to public scrutiny. Also on the show, medical abortion is available up to nine weeks in Australia. There's a push to allow access later.  And the much-maligned...

If you're having a month off the beers to kick off the year, do you know what a short stretch of sobriety could achieve? Some companies in the United States are even pushing people to trade their alcohol for THC, for "high" January.  Also, there hasn't been a big COVID spike over the holidays, but the flu has been going around.  People aren't accessing palliative care early enough to reap the bene...

How far would you go to save your dog? One owner has used ChatGPT and other AI models to find a treatment for his pup's cancer.  Also, we could be missing cases of liver disease because of differences between pathology centres.  The final instalment of Stroke of Luck, a series on the experience of having a stroke and the recovery process.  And a look back at the year: does artificial intelligence...

People with osteoarthritis used to be told to take it easy and avoid overdoing exercise. But the advice has changed drastically.  Also, should everyone going onto GLP-1 medications for weight loss be screened and monitored for eating disorders?  Another instalment of Stroke of Luck, a series on the experience of having a stroke and the recovery process.  And a look back at the year: Robert F. Kenn...

Anxiety can manifest in an excessive worry about your health, and it can be debilitating. But there are effective treatments.  Also, antidepressants can be difficult to come off because of the withdrawal symptoms. An expert highlights the need to better educate patients and doctors on deprescribing.  Another instalment of Stroke of Luck, a series on the experience of having a stroke and the recove...

There's a paradox in neurodegenerative disease  – sometimes as the brain deteriorates, creativity flourishes. Researchers have used imaging techniques to map creativity in the brains of people with Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Also, the exercise program that could change the game for colorectal cancer survivors.  And a look back at the year: GLP-1 medications for weight loss.  References Answering...

Substituting your table salt for something with lower sodium could drive down your risk of heart attack and stroke.  Also, what expectant parents might not know about screening for genetic diseases before conceiving.  Artificial intelligence (AI) could soon be used to help predict decisions a person might make at the end of life.  And a look back at the year: Make America Health Again.  References...

Despite facing an increased risk of chronic disease later in life, remote Indigenous babies start life with a more diverse gut microbiome.  A new study in Nature also found the infants have bacteria that have completely disappeared from non-Indigenous populations.  Also, a guide to living healthy after a fatty liver disease diagnosis. And why fewer people are getting the HPV vaccine.  References E...

Historically women have had a hard time being heard in the doctor's office, with dismissiveness and delays in diagnosis all too common.  The state government in Victoria has held an enquiry into women's pain to come up with recommendations aimed at shifting that experience to a more positive one.  Also, we get a better sense of what's nature vs nurture when it comes to our attributes and our disea...

The dentists' chair is not everyone's favourite place. Have you ever sat there wondering, why would anyone become a dentist? We take a trip to dental school to find out why so many people get into dentistry, and the skills it takes.  Also, are we doing enough to weigh up the risks vs benefits of CT scanning?  And how an autoimmune skin condition actually affects the whole body, particularly the he...

No coffee for six months, not even decaf. That's what participants of a trial looking into the effect on atrial fibrillation were asked to do. Also, could we be on the verge of changing guidelines for asthma care in children? Or is it too early to call? And catching cancer early can be important. How far away are we from harnessing blood, urine and even saliva tests to help? References PFAS inquir...

There has been a rise in people that cut gluten out of their diet to address gut symptoms, despite not having a diagnosis of coeliac disease.  New research is shedding light on what might actually be at play in non-coeliac gluten sensitivity.  Also, how a common antibiotic might lower the risk of developing schizophrenia when given to young people at risk.  And a look at the cancer prevention stra...

If you live with chronic pain, getting referred to a psychologist for pain management can feel like another dismissal.  What does a session with a pain psychologist look like, and how effective can it be if you don't have any mental health diagnoses? Also, some practical information for parents introducing allergens to their babies. And how the nervous system might inadvertently be fuelling gastro...

For 50 years we've known pulse oximeters are less accurate on darker skin, and it could lead to misdiagnoses.  Also, allergen starter packs are being advertised to parents. Are they safe? Guidelines have been released for male infertility care so men aren't left out.  And joint replacements don't last forever, but there are ways to extend their life. References Guidelines for the management of mal...

It's a tricky conversation to navigate, so researchers have tried to find out the best way to bring up weight in the doctor's office while dodging bias and stigma. Also, a look at the evidence surrounding transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) for depression.  The international effort to improve survival from pancreatic cancer. And how a change in guidelines spared tens of thousands of children f...

Gene editing holds huge promise to cure disease and alleviate human suffering, but there are many ethical considerations when it comes to changing our DNA.  We map the story of Chinese scientist He Jiankui who was jailed for altering the genome of babies without proper consent.  Also, we take a look at the common skin condition rosacea and what treatments are available. And some changes to blood t...

Endometriosis is a complex condition, and the pain associated with it can persist despite medications and surgery. New guidelines have suggested lifestyle changes like diet or supplements could work for some.  Also, what you can do in your 40s to prevent heart failure later on. And anal cancer is rare but might be going under people's radar. Who should be screened? References Assessment of malnutr...

Daylight saving time kicks in this weekend for New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory. Time shifts can be controversial, and in recent years there's been research into the effects on our health. One study has looked into the incidence of strokes and obesity.  Also, why experts want to change the name of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and we take...

US President Donald Trump has told women they shouldn't take paracetamol (also known as Tylenol or acetaminophen) during pregnancy because it has been linked to autism.  We unpack the evidence with experts — where has this claim come from? Have we really found a treatment for autism spectrum disorder? And what are the dangers of taking health advice from Trump? Also, an unexpected result from a st...

Trump has suggested there's a link between pregnant women taking paracetamol and autism in children.  In a press conference Trump said pregnant women with fevers should "tough it out".

A major change has been made to Australia's asthma guidelines, but how long will it take everyone to catch on? Also, we know daily aspirin for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease isn't beneficial, but a new study shows there might be risks.  And should the one-time blood test for lipoprotein(a) be free for everyone? References: National Climate Risk Assessment | Australian Climate Ser...

The way we get information has changed, and when it comes to health and wellness more and more people are turning to social media.  There are pros and cons, but when it comes to something as important as birth control, there's a price to pay for taking guidance from influencers.  Also on the show, why parent-focused programs haven't been working to tackle obesity in toddlers. And a story about the...

Researchers have tricked participants with placebo pain relief in an effort to map the brainstem.  Also, how immunotherapy might be used to treat mental health conditions in some young people.  And delays in diagnosing frontotemporal dementia means some people are missing out on important care.  References Answering common questions about GLP-1s for weight loss GLP-1s and eating disorders — what a...

Lots of people develop a daily skincare routine for anti-ageing purposes, but what if there are benefits from starting even earlier — at just nine weeks old? Also, a discussion in the United States about SSRI antidepressants in pregnancy has caused lots of anxiety. We talk through the risks versus the benefits.  And a common drug used to treat everything from nerves to heart conditions could show...

Cognitive Functional Therapy can help relieve low back pain, and shows some positive long-term results. Ovarian cancer doesn't start in the ovaries, but in the fallopian tubes, and opportunistic surgery could prevent it. And is your gut microbiome responsible for your insomnia or is your insomnia changing your microbiome?